Printer apparatus and printing method for printer apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a printer apparatus of the invention, a file storage unit stores an archive file including plural files each having a reservation keyword, a processing content designation data holding unit holds plural processing content designation data in which the reservation keyword and processing content on the file are made to correspond to each other, a processing content designation data retrieval unit extracts the reservation keyword from the file name of each of the plural files and retrieves one or plural processing content designation data including the extracted reservation keyword among the plural processing content designation data, and a print processing unit print-processes the data to be printed contained in the stored document file in accordance with the processing content on the file held in the processing content designation data holding unit corresponding to the retrieved processing content designation data. By this, printing can be performed at high speed, and convenience of the print processing can be raised.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printer apparatus and a printingmethod used in the printer apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the case where a file created by application software operating on aPC (personal computer) is printed, PDL (Page Description Language) fordescribing print pages by a page printer, such as Postscript (trade markor registered trade mark of Adobe Systems Incorporated) or PCL (PrintedControl Language), PDF (Portable Document Format) to enable each page tobe printed, or the like is generally used as a file format. For example,a file created by application software, such as a word processor orspreadsheet, is once converted in an intermediate processing, and a PDLfile is created.

In the case where the user performs printing while a background image, acompany logo or the like is superimposed together, the print processingis performed after a processing (superimposing processing) ofsuperimposing the data, such as the background image or company logo, onthe data created using the application software.

As techniques to print the background image, there is proposed atechnique in which an original image is separated into a background partand a print image, the ground color of a transfer object is detected,and the color of the separated background part is replaced by thedetected ground color of the transfer object, so that the color of thebackground part does not appear in a transferred image (for example,JP-A-2002-166608). Besides, there is also proposed a document editingapparatus in which creation means for creating document informationrelating to plural electronic documents is provided, and the summary ofan electronic document inside a set electronic document can be retrieved(for example, JP-A-2006-146703).

However, in the printing by the printer apparatus of the related art, inthe case where vector format data such as complicated line art isheavily used in the file, since the vector format data is notcompressed, the size of the PDL file becomes large. Besides, recently,as security measures, a user desires to uniformly insert a specificbackground image or a company logo into all original documents to beprinted. When the superimposing processing to the original documents andthe print processing are performed, when the PC of the user insertsdata, such as the background image or the company log, into data byusing the application software one by one, there occurs a disadvantagethat the efficiency is poor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer apparatus of an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an operation of a print processing ofthe related art.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an operation of a print processing towhich the invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a background overlay print function ofthe printer apparatus of the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C are views showing an example of a printing system ofthe embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a selecting method of a print processingin the printer apparatus of the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a processing content designationtable of the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is view showing an example of a variable parameter designationtable of the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a print processing using a file in whicha script is described in the printer apparatus of the embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown shouldbe considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus andmethods of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detailwhile using attached drawings as examples.

Incidentally, in the respective drawings, the same portions are denotedby the same symbols, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. FIG. 1is a block diagram of a printer apparatus of an embodiment of theinvention, FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an operation of a printprocessing of the related art, FIG. 3 is a view for explaining anoperation of a print processing to which the invention is applied, FIG.4 is a view for explaining a background overlay print function of theprinter apparatus of the embodiment of the invention, FIG. 5A to FIG. 5Care views showing an example of a printing system of the embodiment ofthe invention, FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a selecting method of aprint processing in the printer apparatus of the embodiment of theinvention, FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a processing contentdesignation table of the embodiment of the invention, FIG. 8 is a viewshowing an example of a variable parameter designation table of theembodiment of the invention, and FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a printprocessing using a file in which a script is described in the printerapparatus of the embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printer apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes aprogram execution unit 10, a sorting unit 11, a display unit 12, a timer13, a storage unit 14, an RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing unit15, an operation unit 16, an image data filing unit 17, a data input andoutput unit 18, an image processing unit 19, a print output unit 20, andan electronic media reading unit 21. The printer apparatus 1 isconnected to a LAN through the data input and output unit 18 connectedto the LAN and is connected to an external apparatus such as a PC, and anetwork is formed of the printer apparatus 1, the PC, the LAN and thelike.

The RIP processing unit 15 interprets or renders the PDL data or PDLfile sent from the network, and creates image data.

The electronic media reading unit 21 reads image data held on a CD-ROMor a memory card such as a compact flash.

The image processing unit 19 converts an image which is read by theelectronic media reading unit 21 into printable image data, adjusts thecolor, brightness or definition, or identifies the image and performsconversion so that a better print output is obtained according to theidentification result.

The image data filing unit 17 holds plural processing contentdesignation data in which a reservation keyword and a processing contenton a file are made to correspond to each other, and functions as aprocessing content designation data holding unit. The image data filingunit 17 includes a processing content designation table to hold theprocessing content designation data, and a variable parameterdesignation table to designate a print page when an overlay processingis performed. In order to store archive file and the like, the imagedata filing unit 17 extracts a reservation keyword from a file name ofeach of plural files contained in the archive file stored in the memoryprovided in the print output unit 20, and retrieves one or pluralprocessing content designation data including the extracted reservationkeyword among the plural processing content designation data held in theprocessing content designation data table. The image data filing unit 17functions also as a processing content designation data retrieval unit.

The print output unit 20 is for storing an archive file including pluralfiles which include at least a document file containing data to beprinted and described in page units, and a print setting file containingjob setting information data relating to print setting content and inwhich the file name of each of the files has the reservation keyword,and functions as a file storage unit. The print output unit 20 includesa memory to store the archive file. The stored archive file has beensubjected to compression processing or encryption processing.

Besides, the print output unit 20 performs print processing of data tobe printed contained in the stored document files in accordance with theprocessing content on the file held in the processing contentdesignation data table corresponding to the processing contentdesignation data retrieved by the image data filing unit 17 as theprocessing content designation data retrieval unit. That is, the printoutput unit 20 functions also as a print processing unit.

By this, the data to be printed from the PC is once stored in the memoryof the print output unit 20. The print image is stored in the image datafiling unit 17, the stored print image data is managed, and the printimage is edited and becomes printable again. Further, in the printoutput unit 20, the image data created by the RIP processing unit 15 orthe image data stored in the image data filing unit 17 is printed onpaper.

The respective functions of the RIP processing unit 15, the electronicmedia reading unit 21, the image processing unit 19, the image datafiling unit 17, and the print output unit 20 are realized by a CPU(central processing unit), a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an IC, anLSI and the like.

The program execution unit 10 executes and analyzes a program forsuitably controlling the respective functional blocks of the RIPprocessing unit 15, the electronic media reading unit 21, the imageprocessing unit 19, the image data filing unit 17, and the print outputunit 20, and includes also a temporal storage area necessary to performthe execution analysis processing of this program.

The processing of the program execution unit 10 cooperates with each ofthe storage unit 14 to store the data for a period necessary for theprocessing, the data input and output unit 18 to exchange the data withthe external apparatus and to temporarily spool the data to be printed,the operation unit 16 by which the user operates the printer apparatus 1and the equipment connected to the network, and the display unit 12 todisplay the image and the like.

The sorting unit 11 is for sorting (or distributing) the sheets of paperprinted by a not-shown printer unit for paper printing and papertransport. The timer 13 is for processing in the printer apparatus 1 andfor exchanging data with the external apparatus.

A printing method of the embodiment is for the printer apparatus 1connected to the network, and first, the printer apparatus 1 holdsplural processing content designation data, in which the reservationkeyword and the processing content on the file are made to correspond toeach other, in the memory to hold the data. The printer apparatus 1receives the archive file through the network. The printer apparatus 1extracts the reservation keyword from the file name of each of theplural files of the received archive file. The printer apparatus 1retrieves one or plural processing content designation data includingthe extracted reservation keyword among the plural processing contentdesignation data held in the memory. The printer apparatus 1 performsprint processing of the data to be printed contained in the receiveddocument file in accordance with the processing content on the file heldin the memory corresponding to the retrieved processing contentdesignation data.

Next, the operation of the print processing will be described in detail.

In print processing of the related art, as shown in FIG. 2, first,application software operating on a PC 50 sends information 53 such asdrawing information to a printer driver 51. The printer driver 51creates one PDL file 54 from job setting information (input tray, outputtray, both-side printing designation, staple processing, etc.) set byusing the setting screen of the PC 50 and the information 53 sent fromthe application software, and sends the created PDL file 54 to a printerapparatus 55 through a LAN 52. The sent PDL file 54 is converted intoprintable raster data by an RIP processing unit of the printer apparatus55, and the converted data 56 is printed on paper.

In the print processing of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in aprinter driver 2, job setting information (input tray, output tray,both-side printing designation, staple processing, etc.) set by usingthe setting screen of a PC 30 and drawing information from theapplication software are written into separate files, the written pluralfiles are archive-processed, and the archive-processed archive file issent to the printer apparatus 1. In the print system of the embodiment,the archive processing indicates the respective processings of afunction to merge plural files into one file, a function to compress thefile, a function to manage plural files through a tree structure ordirectory structure, and a function to encrypt the data. A processingcontent designation table to represent plural processing contentsrelating to the print processing in the printer apparatus 1 and avariable parameter designation table are described in the job settinginformation. Besides, the job setting information of the archive filecan also include information concerning the number of print copies, andby doing so, the printer apparatus 1 can also designate, for example,the number of print copies of the staple processing. The job settinginformation may be edited by the user.

Merits obtained by the print processing of FIG. 3 are such that theprinter apparatus 1 can handle plural PDL files, and, since the printerdriver 2 creates plural files for respective functions, such as asetting file and a file for overlay image processing, the printerapparatus 1 can choose plural files according to the object, and itbecomes easy for the user to perform work such as addition, deletion oredition of data.

According to the invention, plural files corresponding to pluralfunctions are not individually sent, but are collected into one file andare sent to the printer apparatus 1, so that those plural files arecorrelated to one job as structural elements of the one job, and the onefile is compressed and encrypted, and accordingly, the size of the fileto be transferred to and from the printer apparatus 1 or to be processedby the printer apparatus 1 becomes small, and printing can be performedat high speed, and the security can be secured.

Hereinafter, the invention will be described in detail.

In the case where the user superimposes a mark to represent a secret onthe background of data to be printed and performs printing (overlayprinting), as shown in FIG. 4, the background image of the mark toindicate the secret is created by the operation unit 16, and the createdbackground image is registered in the PC 30. That is, the PC 30 is setso that the printer driver 2 can process the background image.

The printer driver 2 inserts the registered background image data of themark to represent the secret or the background image data file into thearchive file created as shown in FIG. 3 and sends the insertedbackground image data, together with the PDL file and job settinginformation, to the printer apparatus 1. In this way, the backgroundoverlay printing is realized. As a merit of the background overlay printprocessing, since the printer driver 2 is not required to performcomplicated processing such as superposition of plural different imagedata, the high speed processing becomes possible. Besides, when thehardware to execute the complicated superposition processing at highspeed is provided in the printer apparatus 1, the whole printing can beprocessed at high speed.

In the flow of the print processing of FIG. 4, although the image datato be printed as the background is automatically inserted by the printerdriver 2, plural users can insert desired background image data, or anequipment such as the PC 30 connected to the LAN 32 can automaticallyinsert the background image data. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A toFIG. 5C, in the case where an electronic document 25 created by a user Aas a person in charge is printed, the archive file 25 is created inwhich only the seal or signature of the user A is printed (FIG. 5A), andwhen the approval of a user B as a chief is obtained, an imprint imageof an approval seal of the user B or a signature image is added to thearchive file 25 (FIG. 5B), and further, when the approval of a user B isobtained, an imprint image of an approval seal of the user C as amanager or a signature image is added to the archive file 25 (FIG. 5C).According to the invention, it becomes possible to systematize the flowof business as stated above, that is, the workflow, and high speedprinting can be performed using the existing PDL file, and the securitymeasures can be taken.

Next, a method in which the printer apparatus 1 selects a desired printprocessing from plural print processings will be described. As shown inFIG. 6, at step S1, the printer apparatus 1 once stores the archive filesent from the printer driver 2 into the storage unit 14 such as the HDD(hard disk drive). Next, at step S2, the printer apparatus 1 performs aprocessing of decompressing the stored archive file, a processing ofdecrypting the archive file, and a processing of expanding the archivefile into plural files. In the expanding processing at this step S2, theprinter apparatus 1 gives a desired name to each file so that each ofthe plural files can be specified. In FIG. 6, as an example, the PDLfile is given “Shiryou.prn”, the file including the job settinginformation is given “Setting_allP.txt”, the seal image or signatureimage approved by the user B is given “Background_allP1L.bmp”, and theseal image or signature image approved by the user C is given“Background_allP2L.bmp”.

At step S3, the printer apparatus 1 selects a processing correspondingto each file from the file name by which each of the plural expandedfiles is specified and the header information at the head of each file.

As shown in FIG. 7, the printer apparatus 1 retrieves the processingcontent designation table 22, and selects the processing content fromthe file name. For example, with respect to the file having the filename “Setting_allP.txt”, as the job setting processing, both-sideprinting designation or staple processing designation, or a jobparameter different from a default value, such as designation of thenumber of copies, is set. The file of the file name“Background_allP1L.bmp” and the file of the file name“Background_allP2L.bmp” are recognized as the background image and theimage data for performing the overlay processing, respectively, and areregistered in the hardware in the printer apparatus 1.

Besides, a reservation keyword as a reservation word held in theprocessing content designation table 22 includes a fixed portion and avariable portion. “Setting*.txt” of “Setting_allP.txt” corresponds tothe fixed portion, and “_allP” corresponds to the variable portion. Thereserved keyword is defined by a combination of the fixed portion andthe variable portion, and is previously registered in the processingcontent designation table 22. The processing content on the file held inthe processing content designation data table 22 is a processingselected from an image overlay print processing on a file, an imageinsertion processing on a file, a mask processing on a file and thelike.

In the case where the overlay print processing is performed, as shown inFIG. 8, in the print setting file of the job setting information data,text commands to respectively represent the overlay processing, theimage insertion processing, and the mask processing are described. Thus,in order to instruct the print setting file on the respective functionsby using the commands, a file having a name such as “Script.txt” is heldin the processing content designation table 22.

Next, the operation of the case where the file name is “Insert*.*”,“Maskpattern*.*” or “Script.txt” will be described.

The printer apparatus 1 previously determines that “Insert*.*” means aprocessing (page insertion processing) of inserting image data or animage file having “Insert*.*” to a desired position of the file. In thecase where the file name of the file expanded at step 2 by the printerapparatus 1 is “Insert*.*”, at step S3, the printer apparatus 1 selectsa desired processing among plural processings, and prints the Insertimage file after the designated page on which an image created in thePDL format is printed or after the image to be printed.

Besides, the printer apparatus 1 previously determines that“Maskpattern*.*” means an image file to designate a threshold. In thecase where the file name of the expanded file at step S2 is“Maskpattern*.*”, after the selecting of the processing at step S3, withrespect to the image created in the PDL format, the printer apparatus 1compares a pixel included in the image with the threshold. Here, in thecase where the pixel of the comparison object is lower than thethreshold, the printer apparatus 1 prints the pixel of the comparisonobject in a desired color such as white. The printer apparatus 1compares each pixel included in the image with the threshold. By this,in the case where the user tries to outline a specific portion in theimage, “Maskpattern*.*” can be used. In the case where an outlineprocessing is performed, a similar outline processing is performed on animage of the same layer designated after the outline processing. Thelayer information indicating this layer, together with page information,is included in the variable portion of the reservation keyword.

Further, a file having “Script.txt” is a file used in the case where theprocessing becomes complicated when the printer apparatus 1 uses onlythe method of designating the file name, or in the case where it isnecessary for the printer apparatus 1 to refer to data or the like notincluded in the archive file. The file having the file name “Script.txt”is a file in which plural processings, such as a page insertionprocessing using “Insert*.*” and a comparison processing of pixels using“Maskpattern*.*”, can be described like a program (like a program isdescribed). Incidentally, the processing of the file having “Script.txt”will be described later.

Besides, a file included in the archive file can also be used for aprocessing concerning data different from the image data. In the casewhere the file name is, for example, “Jimon01*.txt”, like “overlayprocessing of ¥BOX¥Jimon01.bmp”, the printer apparatus 1 performs aprocessing having the content to designate different image data“Jimon01.bmp”. In other words, the printer apparatus 1 of thisembodiment further includes an image data file holding unit configuredto hold the image data file, and with respect to the processing contenton the file to be held in the processing content designation data table22, this image data file is used and the overlay print processing on thefile of the image is performed. In this case, the printer apparatus 1can also perform a processing using, so to speak, an “empty file” whichhas a file name of “Jimon01_all.txt” and in which data to represent thecontent is not included. In brief, the file name is important.

The printer apparatus 1 determines the file having the file name notapplicable to the reservation word of FIG. 7 to be the PDL file, andperforms the RIP processing. Next, with respect to a portion definedusing a “*” symbol as a wild card portion of FIG. 7, the printerapparatus 1 determines that an arbitrary character enters in the wildcard portion, refers to the variable parameter designation table of FIG.8, and determines the processing content concerning the file having thefile name including the “*” symbol. The processing using the wild cardportion can be used to designate a page as an object of a processing,the order of superposition in the overlay print processing and the like.For example, the portion of “allP” in “Setting_allP.txt” is used todesignate the order of pages, the order of superposition and the like,and “allP” means that the object range of the processing includes allpages. Similarly, also with respect to the background overlay processingof “Background_allP1L.bmp” or “Background_allP2L.bmp”, it is meant thatthe background overlay processing is applied to all pages.

Besides, when page designation is performed, when designation of “allP”and each page designation such as “1P_(—)2P” overlap, the printerapparatus 1 can be set so that the processing of each page is givenpriority. That is, the printer apparatus 1 overwrites the initialsetting value with a parameter or image designated by “allP” orparameter data or image data, and overwrites it with a parameter orimage designated by “1P_(—)2P.

As stated above, the processing content designation data table 22correlates the page information with the content of the image overlayprint processing on the file and holds them. Specifically, with respectto the page as the object of the overlay printing, the processingcontent designation data table 22 holds individual page information,page information of all pages, and priority information of the overlayprinting, and in the case where file names of plural files expanded fromthe archive file include both the reservation keyword to designate allpages and the reservation keyword to designate the individual page,based on the priority information, the print output unit 20 performs theprint processing concerning a portion where the two reservation keywordsoverlap among the file names.

Also with respect to “1L”, “2L”, . . . , “9L” after “allP” of FIG. 8,similarly, the printer apparatus 1 can designate the order of overlap ofimages when the background overlay processing is performed. The meaningof the numeral in this case is such that, for example, 1 represents thehighest level layer, and 9 represents the lowest level layer. Theprinter apparatus 1 can also perform the processing without performingthe designation processing of “1L” or the like, and in the case wherethe designation is not performed, the printer apparatus 1 can previouslydetermine that a desired numeral (for example, the middle 5) from 1 to 9is designated. By this, the image file created in the PDL format is notdesignated, and the processing corresponding to 5 can be made to beperformed.

Besides, in the case where the same layer number is designated for theobjective one file, the printer apparatus 1 previously determines thatthe logical sum processing is performed on the file. By this, since thelogical sum processing is performed, a processing such as an overprintprocessing in which the respective color components are added isperformed. In this case, on the paper outputted as the result ofprinting, the seal of the user B is printed at the highest level, theseal of the user C is printed at the second from the highest level, andfurther, the image created as the PDL file is printed at the third fromthe highest level. In the overlay processing, since a white blankportion of the paper is transmission processed, according to the printerapparatus 1 of the invention, at a level higher than the image createdas the PDL file, for example, only red portions representing therespective seals of the user B and the user C are overwritten on thecreated image. Besides, print output is performed so that the imagecreated in the PDL format is printed in a portion different from theoverwritten portion in the created image. The same processing isperformed also in the case where the signature image is used.

Next, an example using “Script.txt” will be described. The printerdriver 2 includes, in the print archive file, “Shiryou.prn” of the PDLfile as the print document, “Setting_allP.txt” as a file in which jobsetting information is described, and “Script.txt” as a file in which ascript is described. As shown in FIG. 9, after a storage processing(step T1), the printer apparatus 1 performs at least one processing orall processings of decompressing, decrypting and expanding of thearchive file (step T2), and expands it into plural individual files inwhich the compression processing or the encryption processing is removed(step T3). The file having the file name “Shiryou.prn” is rendered bythe RIP processing unit 15 (step T4), and by this, data “PDL image” inraster format is obtained. The setting content of the file having thefile name “Setting_allP.txt” is registered as a job execution parameter(step T5) and is used for control of both-side control, staple control,or control of the number of copies. With respect to the file having thefile name “Script.txt”, a necessary processing, such as analysis of aprogram or execution, is performed by the program execution unit 10(step T6).

In the case where a reference processing to the processing contentdesignation table 22 or the variable parameter designation table 23 isperformed, the overlay processing is performed on the image filespecified by “¥BOX¥” indicating the place of the image data filing unit17 in which the image data of the printer apparatus 1 is filed, and thefile name such as “Jimon01.bmp” or “Logo01.bmp” (step T7). The overlayprocessing is performed on all pages. As the layer of this case, “9” and“1” are designated to the files of “Jimon01.bmp” and “Logo01.bmp”,respectively. Since both “Jimon01.bmp” and “Logo01.bmp” in the imagedata filing unit 17 perform the overlay processing by the scriptdescribed in “Script.txt”, they are registered in the hardware, such asthe CPU or the memory of the printer apparatus 1, which can perform theoverlay processing, and the hardware to execute the overlay processingcombines the image represented by the file of “Jimon01.bmp” or“Logo01.bmp” and the PDL image, and outputs the combined image as theprint image. The print output unit 20 both-side processes the data ofthe output print image in accordance with the job execution parameter,and performs printing on a desired number of papers (step T8), and bythis, the print document is created. The “Jimon01.bmp” and “Logo01.bmp”are images of a tint block pattern or a company logo created by anadministrator or a user using a tool or a storage function of a printimage or a scan image, and what are previously prepared according tosheet sizes or directions of sheets are used. Thus, the hardware for theoverlay processing has only to perform a simple logical operation, andin this way, according to the invention, the high speed processingbecomes possible.

As stated above, in the system of the related art using the PDL file tosimply perform printing, the PDL file is discarded each time theprinting is performed, however, according to the invention, the PDL fileonce created is again used and a new document can be created, and forexample, practical use in the workflow becomes possible.

Besides, as stated above, since the PDL file is compressed and the filesize becomes small, the printing speed is also raised, with respect tothe tint block pattern, company logo or the like, the original data isnot processed, a desired image with the tint block pattern or the likeas the background image is automatically printed, and the security canbe improved.

Incidentally, “¥” included in the directory name can be replaced by “\”.The file name or the like is one example, and can be variously changed.

In the printing method of the related art, in the case where large imagedata is sent, the image data is described as compressed data in eachPDL. The PDL file is created by the printer driver in the PC, and thecreated PDL file is sent to the printer apparatus through the network orthe like, rendering is performed by this printer apparatus, and the datato be printed is printed on paper. At the time of creation of the PDLfile, the data to be printed and the print setting information data aredescribed in one file in accordance with the grammar defined in the PDLformat. When the data is described in the file, raster format data suchas bit map image is compressed, and the compressed data is taken in thePDL file.

As stated above, according to the invention, the PC connected to thenetwork archives the PDF file, the setting file, and the backgroundimage collectively for the printer apparatus 1 which can performprinting on paper, and sends the archive file to the printer apparatus,and accordingly, the printing can be performed at high speed using theexisting PDL file, and the usability can be improved. Further, since thePC side compresses the archive file at the time of creation of thearchive file, the print file can be made compact.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in theart that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to theinvention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from thespirit of the present invention. All such changes, modifications, andalterations should therefore be seen as within the scope of the presentinvention.

1. A printer apparatus comprising: a file storage unit configured tostore an archive file including plural files which include at least adocument file containing data to be printed and described in page unitsand a print setting file containing data relating to print settingcontent and in which a file name of each of the files has a reservationkeyword; a processing content designation data holding unit configuredto hold plural processing content designation data in which thereservation keyword and processing content on the file are made tocorrespond to each other; a processing content designation dataretrieval unit configured to extract the reservation keyword from thefile name of each of the plural files of the archive file stored in thefile storage unit, and to retrieve one or plural processing contentdesignation data including the extracted reservation keyword among theplural processing content designation data held in the processingcontent designation data holding unit; and a print processing unitconfigured to print process the data to be printed contained in thedocument file stored in the file storage unit in accordance with theprocessing content on the file held in the processing contentdesignation data holding unit corresponding to the processing contentdesignation data retrieved by the processing content designation dataretrieval unit.
 2. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein thereservation keyword held in the processing content designation dataholding unit includes a fixed portion and a variable portion.
 3. Theprinter apparatus of claim 2, wherein the variable portion of thereservation keyword held in the processing content designation dataholding unit includes at least page information and layer information.4. The printer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processing contentdesignation data holding unit correlates the page information with thecontent of the image overlay print processing on the file and holdsthem.
 5. The printer apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processingcontent designation data holding unit holds, with respect to pages as anobject of the overlay printing, individual page information, pageinformation of all the pages, and priority information of the overlayprinting, and in a case where the file names stored in the file storageunit include both a reservation keyword to designate all the pages and areservation keyword to designate each page, the print processing unitperforms a print processing on a portion where the two reservationkeywords in the file names overlap with each other.
 6. The printerapparatus of claim 1, wherein the archive file stored in the filestorage unit is compression-processed.
 7. The printer apparatus of claim1, wherein the archive file stored in the file storage unit isencryption-processed.
 8. The printer apparatus of claim 1, wherein theprocessing content on the file held in the processing contentdesignation data holding unit is a processing selected from at least oneof an image overlay print processing on the file, an image insertionprocessing on the file, and a mask processing on the file.
 9. Theprinter apparatus of claim 1, wherein text commands representing theoverlay processing, the image insertion processing and the maskprocessing respectively are described in the print setting file storedin the file storage unit.
 10. The printer apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising an image data file holding unit configured to hold an imagedata file, wherein the processing content on the file held in theprocessing content designation data holding unit is an overlay printprocessing on the file using an image of the image data file.
 11. Aprinting method in a printer apparatus connected to a network,comprising the steps of: holding, by the printer apparatus, pluralprocessing content designation data, in which a reservation keyword andprocessing content on a file are made to correspond to each other, in aholding unit to hold data; receiving, by the printer apparatus, throughthe network, an archive file including plural files which include atleast a document file containing data to be printed and described inpage units and a print setting file containing data relating to printsetting content and in which a file name of each of the files has areservation keyword; extracting, by the printer apparatus, thereservation keyword from the file name of each of the plural files ofthe received archive file; retrieving, by the printer apparatus, one orplural processing content designation data including the extractedreservation keyword among the plural processing content designation dataheld in the holding unit; and print-processing, by the printerapparatus, the data to be printed contained in the received documentfile in accordance with the processing content on the file held in theholding unit corresponding to the retrieved processing contentdesignation data.